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CompletedNCT00087555Updated Jan 24, 2012Results posted

Trial Comparing the Effects of Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate) With Placebo for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia

A Phase 2 interventional study of Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution and Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution in Fibromyalgia, sponsored by Jazz Pharmaceuticals. Completed at 20 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2012-01-24.

Sponsored by Jazz Pharmaceuticals · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
195
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether Xyrem (sodium oxybate) is effective when used alone to treat the pain and sleep disturbances of fibromyalgia.

Read the detailed description

Fibromyalgia affects millions of Americans, yet there are no FDA approved drugs to treat this debilitating condition. Besides causing pain, it also disrupts normal sleep patterns in many of its victims. Pain and lack of sleep reinforce each other, making patients progressively more miserable. Xyrem is a potent hypnotic that induces and consolidates sleep. In a few small studies Xyrem has been reported to offer relief to some fibromyalgia patients. This trial is designed to test this hypothesis. Patients who enroll in this study will stop taking any prescription medications for fibromyalgia (over-the-counter pain relievers will be permitted). They will then take either Xyrem alone or placebo alone. Patients will be followed for eight weeks to evaluate any relief of the pain or functional impairment of fibromyalgia from their study treatment. Sleep characteristics will also be assessed subjectively and by polysomnographic recordings at baseline and twice during the treatment phase.

02

Conditions studied

  • Fibromyalgia

Keywords

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Pain
03

In context

Fibromyalgia

1,336 studies on the registry are indexed under Fibromyalgia; 266 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 195 is above the median of 60 across 1,035 interventional studies indexed under Fibromyalgia.

Browse Fibromyalgia studies →

Lead sponsor

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is the lead sponsor of 167 studies on the registry; 20 are open to participants now.

Of its 39 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 28 (72%) have results posted.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

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Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Sign \& date informed consent
  • Willing \& able to complete trial as described in protocol
  • > 18 years of age
  • Meet American College of Rheumatology criteria for Fibromyalgia [Widespread pain for at least 3 months, including all of the following: (1) Pain on right \& left sides of body; (2) Pain above \& below waist; (3) Pain in axial skeleton; 4) Pain on digital palpation with approximately 4kg force in at least 11 of 18 tender point sites]
  • (Study continuation) Have an average VAS pain score > 4 on a scale of 0 to 10 as recorded in patient diary the last week before Visit 4.
  • Discontinue all prescription medication taken for fibromyalgia, including opiates, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants taken for pain, antidepressants, cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), and/or tramadol (Ultram) until study completion
  • Continue all pre-existing nutritional and/or exercise regimens and/or behavioral, massage, acupuncture, physical or cognitive therapies on an unchanged, consistent \& regular schedule throughout study
  • Use only acetaminophen or over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as rescue pain medications \& to limit dose to the labeled over-the-counter maximum. Aspirin may only be used as a cardiac protectant; formulations with caffeine are excluded.
  • Forego ingestion of alcohol for duration of study.
  • Fertile females must use a medically accepted method of birth control (e.g., barrier method with spermicide, oral contraceptive, or abstinence) for duration of trial.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria

  1. Have any of the following medical conditions:

    • Other rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or systemic lupus erythematosis
    • Uncontrolled hypo- or hyper-thyroidism of any type
    • Unstable cardiovascular, endocrine, neoplastic (excluding localized basal cell carcinoma), gastrointestinal, hematologic, hepatic, immunologic, metabolic, neurological, pulmonary, and/or renal disease which would place patient at risk during trial or compromise objectives outlined in protocol
    • Myocardial infarction within last six months
    • On their screening PSG (polysomnogram) have an Apnea Index greater than 10 per hour or an Apnea Hypopnea Index greater than 15 per hour. Note: patients with sleep apnea are not excluded if their indices are below these thresholds while sleeping with CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) and they are compliant with CPAP therapy.
    • Problems that, in the investigator's opinion, would preclude the patient's participation and completion of this trial or compromise reliable representation of subjective symptoms.
    • If a patient will have to discontinue antidepressant medication taken for depression, the investigator must make an evaluation as to any risks from cessation of anti-depressant therapy. If, in the opinion of the investigator, a reasonable risk of resultant patient harm exists, patient is excluded from study participation
    • Current or recent history of substance abuse including alcohol abuse
    • History of seizure disorder, history of head trauma, migraine headaches or intracranial surgery, \& are taking anticonvulsants
    • Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency
  2. Have taken any of these therapies:

    • gamma-hydroxybutyrate (sodium oxybate) in 30 days prior to signing informed consent
    • any investigational therapy in 30 days prior to signing informed consent
    • ever taken anticonvulsants to treat epilepsy or any other convulsions
  3. Unwilling to stop these therapies during course of trial:

    • anticonvulsants prescribed solely for pain
    • all antidepressants
    • medication for sleep
  4. Have any of the following clinical laboratory results:

    • Serum creatinine > 2.0 mg/dL
    • TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) \< 0.3 μU/mL OR TSH > 6 μU/mL
    • abnormal liver function tests (SGOT [AST] or SGPT [ALT] more than twice the upper limit of normal)
    • elevated serum bilirubin (more than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal)
    • pre-trial ECG with arrhythmia, greater than a first degree AV block
    • positive pregnancy test at any time during trial
  5. Have any of the following socio-economic factors:

    • Pending worker's compensation litigation or related other monetary settlements
    • Have an occupation that requires variable shift work or routine night shifts
05

Study design

Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
195 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    2

    Sodium oxybate 6.0 g per day.

    Drug: Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution

  • Placebo comparator
    3

    Placebo (one of two doses matching active treatment by volume).

    Drug: Placebo

  • Experimental
    1

    Sodium oxybate 4.5 g per day.

    Drug: Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution

Interventions

  • DrugXyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution

    Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution 4.5 g per day in divided doses, 2.25 g at bedtime and another 2.5 g two and a half to four hours later for 8 weeks.

  • DrugXyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution

    Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution 6.0 g per night in divided doses of 3 g at bedtime and 3 g at 2.5 to 4 hours later for 8 weeks.

  • DrugPlacebo

    Placebo one of two doses matching active treatment by volume for 8 weeks.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. The Primary Outcome Measure Was a Composite of Changes From Baseline in Three Co-primary Self Report Measures: Pain Visual Analog Scale (PVAS, Electronic Diaries), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGI-C).

    The percentage of participants who met all 3 of the following criteria: Reduction of \>=20% from baseline to week 8 in both PVAS \& FIQ total score and PGI-C response of "very much better" or "much better". Analysis was based on LOCF (Last Observation Carried Forward) data. The PVAS ranges from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst imaginable pain). The FIQ ranges from 0 (best function) to 100 (worst function). PGI-C is a 7 point likert scale measuring change in the participant's fibromyalgia symptoms that ranges from "very much worse" to "very much better"

    Time frame: Baseline to week 8

07

Results

Posted Jan 10, 2012

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestonePlaceboXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 4.5gXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 6.0g
Started666267
Treated656067
Completed545146
Not completed121121
Withdrew: Adverse event3614
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up011
Withdrew: Non - compliance100
Withdrew: Protocol violation002
Withdrew: Screen failure110
Withdrew: Pregnancy011
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject321
Withdrew: Lack of efficacy201
Withdrew: Non compliance001
Withdrew: Chronic migraine headaches (med history)100
Withdrew: Patient wanted to go back on med100

Outcome measures

PrimaryThe Primary Outcome Measure Was a Composite of Changes From Baseline in Three Co-primary Self Report Measures: Pain Visual Analog Scale (PVAS, Electronic Diaries), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGI-C).

The percentage of participants who met all 3 of the following criteria: Reduction of \>=20% from baseline to week 8 in both PVAS \& FIQ total score and PGI-C response of "very much better" or "much better". Analysis was based on LOCF (Last Observation Carried Forward) data. The PVAS ranges from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst imaginable pain). The FIQ ranges from 0 (best function) to 100 (worst function). PGI-C is a 7 point likert scale measuring change in the participant's fibromyalgia symptoms that ranges from "very much worse" to "very much better"

Time frame:
Baseline to week 8
Reported as:
Number · Percentage of Participants
The Primary Outcome Measure Was a Composite of Changes From Baseline in Three Co-primary Self Report Measures: Pain Visual Analog Scale (PVAS, Electronic Diaries), Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), and Patient Global Impression of Change (PGI-C).
Percentage of ParticipantsPlaceboXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 4.5gXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 6.0g
Responders12.929.828.1
Non - Responders87.170.271.9
Statistical analysis
  • Placebo vs Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 4.5g vs Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 6.0g · Chi-squared · p = 0.052
  • Placebo vs Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 4.5g · Chi-squared · p = 0.024
  • Placebo vs Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 6.0g · Chi-squared · p = 0.035

Adverse events

Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Placebo—0/65 (0%)39/65 (60%)
Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 4.5g—1/60 (1.7%)41/60 (68.3%)
Xyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 6.0g—1/67 (1.5%)52/67 (77.6%)
Most frequent serious events
Most frequent serious events
EventPlaceboXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 4.5gXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 6.0g
Respiratory Tract InfectionInfections and infestations0/651/600/67
AsthmaRespiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders0/651/600/67
TachycardiaCardiac disorders0/650/601/67
HypertensionVascular disorders0/650/601/67
Bipolar DisorderPsychiatric disorders0/650/601/67
Most frequent other events
Showing 10 of 137
Most frequent other events
EventPlaceboXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 4.5gXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 6.0g
NauseaGastrointestinal disorders6/6510/6019/67
DizzinessNervous system disorders2/655/6012/67
HeadacheNervous system disorders4/658/6011/67
NasopharyngitisInfections and infestations3/652/609/67
SinusitisInfections and infestations2/653/606/67
VomitingGastrointestinal disorders0/655/604/67
Muscle SpasmsMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders1/655/601/67
DiarrhoeaGastrointestinal disorders4/654/600/67
Pain in ExtremityMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders0/654/600/67
ParaesthesiaNervous system disorders1/654/601/67

Baseline characteristics

Age Continuous
Age Continuous(years)PlaceboXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 4.5gXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 6.0gTotal
Mean47.2 ± 10.6947.2 ± 11.8945.1 ± 11.5146.5 ± 11.35
Age, Customized
Age, Customized(participants)PlaceboXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 4.5gXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 6.0gTotal
18 - 39 Years16142353
40 - 49 Years24191760
50 - 64 Years22262573
>=65 years4329
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)PlaceboXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 4.5gXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 6.0gTotal
Female625864184
Male44311
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity, Customized(Participants)PlaceboXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 4.5gXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 6.0gTotal
Caucasian595665180
African American46111
Asian0011
Hispanic2002
Other1001
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)PlaceboXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 4.5gXyrem (Sodium Oxybate) 6.0gTotal
United States666267195
08

Study locations

20 sites
  • Radiant Research
    Scottsdale, Arizona 85251, United States
  • Osteoporosis Medical Center
    Beverly Hills, California 90211, United States
  • Wallace Rheumatic Study Center
    Los Angeles, California 90048, United States
  • Miami Research Associates
    Miami, Florida 33173, United States
  • Radiant Research, Inc.
    West Palm Beach, Florida 33407, United States
  • Central Kentucky Research Associates, Inc.
    Lexington, Kentucky 40509, United States
  • LSU Health Sciences Center
    Shreveport, Louisiana 71130-3932, United States
  • Richard N. Podell, MD
    Springfield, New Jersey 07081, United States
  • Duke University Medical Center
    Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
  • Alvin Daughtridge Arthritis Center
    Lenoir, North Carolina 28645, United States
  • C.A.R.E. Center
    Raleigh, North Carolina 27609, United States
  • Cleveland Sleep Center
    Middlebrook Heights, Ohio 44130, United States
  • Lynn Health Science Institute
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73112, United States
  • Oregon Health and Science University
    Portland, Oregon 97239, United States
  • Altoona Center for Clinical Research
    Duncansville, Pennsylvania 16635, United States
  • Abigail Rebecca Neiman, MD
    Katy, Texas 77450, United States
  • The University of Texas Health Science Center
    San Antonio, Texas 78229, United States
  • Stress Medicine Clinic -- HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital
    Sandy, Utah 84094, United States
  • Pacific Rheumatology Research, Inc.
    Renton, Washington 98055, United States
  • Seattle Rheumatology Associates
    Seattle, Washington 98104, United States
09

References and documents

Publications

  • A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial comparing the effects of three doses of orally administered sodium oxybate with placebo for the treatment of narcolepsy. Sleep. 2002 Feb 1;25(1):42-9. PubMed 11833860 ↗
  • A 12-month, open-label, multicenter extension trial of orally administered sodium oxybate for the treatment of narcolepsy. Sleep. 2003 Feb 1;26(1):31-5. PubMed 12627729 ↗
  • U.S. Xyrem Multicenter Study Group. Sodium oxybate demonstrates long-term efficacy for the treatment of cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy. Sleep Med. 2004 Mar;5(2):119-23. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2003.11.002. PubMed 15033130 ↗
  • The abrupt cessation of therapeutically administered sodium oxybate (GHB) does not cause withdrawal symptoms. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2003;41(2):131-5. doi: 10.1081/clt-120019128. PubMed 12733850 ↗
  • Scharf MB, Baumann M, Berkowitz DV. The effects of sodium oxybate on clinical symptoms and sleep patterns in patients with fibromyalgia. J Rheumatol. 2003 May;30(5):1070-4. PubMed 12734908 ↗
  • Russell IJ, Perkins AT, Michalek JE; Oxybate SXB-26 Fibromyalgia Syndrome Study Group. Sodium oxybate relieves pain and improves function in fibromyalgia syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial. Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Jan;60(1):299-309. doi: 10.1002/art.24142. PubMed 19116896 ↗
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jan 24, 2012, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00087555
Lead sponsor
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
First posted
Jul 14, 2004
Start date
Jul 2004
Primary completion
Apr 2005
Completion
Jan 2006
Results posted
Jan 10, 2012
Last update
Jan 24, 2012

Study contacts

Yanping Zheng, MD
study director · Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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